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Ghana Pays Final Respects to Former President Jerry Rawlings

VOA News

   GhanaPresidentNanaAkufo-Addo, lawmakersand a host of dignitarieson
   Tuesdaywill payfinal respectsto formerPresidentJerry John Rawlings,
   Ghana's longest serving leader.

   Large crowds of mournershave alreadypaidtheir respects toRawlings,whose
   bodylayin state at the Accra International conferencecenter.

   Rawlings, who was 73-years old,died in November of lastyear,buthiscause
   of death has not been revealed.

   Hisburial was partly delayedbecause Ghana's political leadersdisagreed
   on some logistics of his funeral.

   Rawlingshad a checkered past in Ghana,having leda military juntabefore
   coming to power in coup in1992. Rawlings wastwice democratically
   elected to twofour-yearterms.

   Funeral service for Ghana's former President is set for Wednesday.

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